Temperature regulation case

Abstract

A temperature regulation case 1 includes: a box body 6 which forms an internal space 6a in which a parcel 2 is accommodated; a heat medium disposition part 8 which is disposed to the inside of a wall 10 constituting the box body 6, and in which a heat medium 3 is provided; and a projection 60 which projects from an inner surface 13 of the wall 10 and toward the internal space 6a.

Description

Temperature Control Case

[0001] The present invention relates to a temperature control case.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a heat exchanger constructed by enclosing a tray member with built-in inner fins with a cover member. The surface of the cover member is provided with an inlet and an outlet for allowing a heat medium to flow in and out of the enclosed space. An object to be temperature-controlled, such as an electronic component, is in contact with the surface of the tray member. The heat medium flows through the enclosed space and exchanges heat with the object to be temperature-controlled by solid-state heat transfer.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-103060

[0004] Even when the temperature control object is placed on the tray member, it is difficult to achieve complete surface contact between the temperature control object and the tray member, which can prevent effective heat exchange through solid-state heat transfer, potentially making it impossible to maintain the temperature of the temperature control object at the desired level.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a temperature control case that makes it easy to control the temperature of an object.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a temperature-controlled case comprising a box body that forms an internal space in which luggage is stored, a heat medium arrangement section that is arranged inside a wall that constitutes the box body and in which a heat medium is provided, and a protrusion that protrudes from the inner surface of the wall into the internal space.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the protrusions are heated or cooled by a heat medium. The internal space is heated or cooled by the protrusions, and the temperature is regulated. The luggage is stored in the temperature-regulated internal space, and is therefore maintained at a desired temperature. Compared to when no protrusions are provided, the exposed surface area to the internal space is increased, and the temperature of the internal space is effectively regulated by the protrusions. Compared to when luggage is placed on the inner surface of the wall of a box body that does not have protrusions, it is easier to regulate the temperature of the luggage.

[0008] The protrusion may include a bottom protrusion protruding from the inner surface of a bottom wall that is part of the wall of the box body.

[0009] According to the above configuration, it is easy to control the temperature of the luggage placed on the bottom protrusion.

[0010] The bottom protrusion may include a support protrusion on which the load is placed, and a lower protrusion that protrudes less than the support protrusion.

[0011] According to the above configuration, when a load is placed on the support protrusion, the low protrusion is separated from the support protrusion, and all or most of the surface of the low protrusion is exposed to the interior space, which effectively regulates the temperature of the interior space and makes it easy to control the temperature of the load.

[0012] The support protrusion may include a protruding portion protruding from the inner surface and a support portion provided at the tip of the protruding portion and having a support surface that supports the luggage, and the support surface may be wider than the protruding portion.

[0013] According to the above configuration, the luggage is stably supported on the wide support surface.

[0014] The wall may be a laminate of a metal material and a heat insulating material, the inner surface and the protrusion may be made of the metal material, and the heat insulating material may be laminated on the back surface of the metal material opposite the inner surface.

[0015] According to the above configuration, heat is easily transferred from the heat medium to the protrusions, and the temperature of the interior space is effectively regulated, making it easy to control the temperature of the luggage.

[0016] The heat medium arrangement section may have a heat medium flow path through which the heat medium flows, and the box body may be provided with an inlet through which the heat medium flows into the heat medium flow path and an outlet through which the heat medium flows out of the heat medium flow path.

[0017] According to the above configuration, the heat medium arrangement portion can be realized by causing the heat medium to flow through the heat medium flow path formed inside the wall of the box body.

[0018] The wall may be a laminate of a metal material and an insulating material, the inner surface and the protrusions may be made of the metal material, the insulating material may be laminated on the back surface of the metal material opposite the inner surface, the insulating material may have a groove formed on the inner surface, and the heat transfer medium flow path may be constructed by overlapping the back surface of the metal material with the inner surface of the insulating material and blocking the groove with the back surface.

[0019] According to the above configuration, by simply covering the grooves formed in the heat insulating material with a metal material, it is possible to simultaneously incorporate the heat transfer medium flow path into the wall, expose the highly heat conductive protrusions to the internal space to effectively regulate the temperature in the internal space, and improve the thermal insulation of the internal space and the heat transfer medium flow path.

[0020] The heat insulating material may be made of a foam made of a polymer material and a plurality of closed cells. Also, a coating may be provided on the inner surface of the heat transfer medium flow path.

[0021] According to the above configuration, it is possible to achieve both the thermal insulation of the box body and the prevention of the heat transfer medium from penetrating into the thermal insulation material.

[0022] A rear surface protrusion protruding into the heat transfer medium flow path may be provided on the rear surface of the metal material.

[0023] With this configuration, the contact area between the metal material and the heat transfer medium is increased, and heat is efficiently transferred from the heat transfer medium to the protrusions on the inner surface. This effectively regulates the temperature in the interior space, making it easier to manage the temperature of the luggage.

[0024] The heat medium arrangement section may have a heat medium enclosure in which the heat medium is enclosed.

[0025] According to the above configuration, the heat medium containing body in which the heat medium is enclosed is built into the wall of the box, thereby realizing the heat medium placement section.

[0026] According to the present disclosure, a temperature control case that makes it easy to control the temperature of an object can be provided.

[0027] 1 is a perspective view of a temperature control case according to the first embodiment, showing a state in which the lid is separated from the box body; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a temperature control case according to the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a plan view of a temperature control case according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a temperature control case according to the first embodiment; FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the bottom wall of the box body of a temperature control case according to the first embodiment; FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the bottom wall of the box body of a temperature control case according to the second embodiment; FIG. 7 is a plan view of a temperature control case according to the third embodiment; FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the bottom wall of the box body of a temperature control case according to the third embodiment; FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a temperature control case according to the fourth embodiment; FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a temperature control case according to the fifth embodiment; FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a temperature control case according to the sixth embodiment; FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a temperature control case according to the sixth embodiment; FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a temperature control case according to the first modified embodiment; FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a temperature control case according to the second modified embodiment;

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0029] First Embodiment Referring to Fig. 1, a temperature-controlled case 1 according to the first embodiment accommodates luggage 2, and transports the luggage 2 while maintaining the luggage 2 at a desired temperature. Examples of such luggage 2 include fresh foods such as vegetables, meat, and seafood. In Fig. 1, the luggage 2 is shown as a rectangular parallelepiped, but this is merely for convenience of illustration, and the outer shape of the luggage 2 need not be regular.

[0030] The temperature-controlled case 1 includes a box body 6 that forms an internal space 6a in which the luggage 2 is stored, and a lid 7 that closes the box body 6. Unless special measures are taken, the internal space 6a is filled with air. However, when the luggage 2 is seafood, for example, the internal space 6a may be filled with a fluid other than air, such as ice water, and such a fluid may be appropriately substituted for the air in the internal space 6a depending on the luggage 2. Hereinafter, the "temperature of the internal space 6a" refers to the temperature of the fluid filled in the internal space 6a.

[0031] The box 6 has a wall 10 that defines an internal space 6a and an upper opening 6b. The upper opening 6b opens the internal space 6a at the top. The wall 10 includes a bottom wall 11 and a peripheral wall 12 that stands upright from the periphery of the bottom wall 11. The internal space 6a is defined by an inner surface 13 of the wall 10, and the upper opening 6b is defined by the upper end of the peripheral wall 12. The lid 7 removably closes the upper opening 6b.

[0032] For example, the box body 6 is a rectangular box, and the bottom wall 11 is rectangular in plan view. The peripheral wall 12 is made up of four side walls: a pair of first side walls 12A extending parallel to each other from a pair of long side edges of the bottom wall 11, and a pair of second side walls 12B extending parallel to each other from a pair of short side edges of the bottom wall 11. Each side wall is rectangular in side view.

[0033] 2 and 3 , the box body 6 is composed of an outer box 20, an inner box 30, and a heat insulating material 40. The wall 10 of the box body 6 is a laminate of a metal material and the heat insulating material 40. The heat insulating material 40 is disposed between the outer box 20 and the inner box 30. The outer box 20 and the inner box 30 are examples of metal materials that constitute a laminate, and are made of, for example, steel or an aluminum alloy. The heat insulating material 40 is made of, for example, an insulating material such as polystyrene foam. The outer box 20, the inner box 30, and the heat insulating material 40 all have the same shape as the box body 6, which in this example is a rectangular box shape.

[0034] The outer box 20 has an outer bottom wall 21 and an outer peripheral wall 22. The outer bottom wall 21 is rectangular in plan view. The outer peripheral wall 22 is made up of four outer walls: a pair of first outer walls 22A that are parallel to each other, and a pair of second outer walls 22B that are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first outer walls 22A.

[0035] The inner box 30 has an inner bottom wall 31, an inner peripheral wall 32, and a flange 33. The inner bottom wall 31 is rectangular in plan view. The inner peripheral wall 32 is made up of four inner walls: a pair of first inner walls 32A that are parallel to each other, and a pair of second inner walls 32B that are parallel to each other and perpendicularly intersect the first inner walls 32A. The flange 33 has a rectangular window frame shape in plan view, and extends horizontally (i.e., parallel to the inner bottom wall 31) from the upper end of the inner peripheral wall 32 toward the opposite side to the internal space 6a.

[0036] An outer surface 20a of the outer box 20 forms the outer surface of the entire box body 6. An inner surface 30a of the inner box 30 forms the inner surface 13 of the entire box body 6, and defines an internal space 6a.

[0037] The heat insulating material 40 is disposed in the space between the back surface 20b of the outer box 20 (the surface opposite the outer surface 20a) and the back surface 30b of the inner box 30 (the surface opposite the inner surface 30a). The heat insulating material 40 has a bottom wall portion 41 interposed between the outer bottom wall 21 and the inner bottom wall 31, and a peripheral wall portion 42 interposed between the outer peripheral wall 22 and the inner peripheral wall 32 and standing from the bottom wall portion 41. The peripheral wall portion 42 has an upper surface shaped like a rectangular window frame, and this upper surface is covered by the flange 33 of the inner box 30. The outer surface 40b of the heat insulating material 40 is superimposed on the back surface 20b of the outer box 20, and the back surface 30b of the inner box 30 is superimposed on the inner surface 40a of the heat insulating material 40.

[0038] Although detailed illustrations are omitted, in this embodiment, the outer box 20 is formed by bending a single sheet metal material made of aluminum alloy. The inner box 30 is similar. The heat insulating material 40 is formed into a rectangular box shape by combining multiple rectangular plates made of heat insulating material. However, the inner box 30 may also be formed from an extruded material such as an aluminum alloy. The same applies to the other embodiments (e.g., the second to fourth embodiments).

[0039] The lid 7 has a fitting portion 7a that fits tightly against the upper end of the inner surface of the inner peripheral wall 32 of the inner box 30, and a mounting portion 7b that is provided above the fitting portion 7a and fits tightly against the upper surface of the flange 33 of the inner box 30. The lid 7 is formed by covering a heat insulating material with a metal sheet. The fitting portion 7a and the mounting portion 7b fit tightly against the inner box 30, thereby insulating the internal space 6a of the box body 6 from the outside air. In the illustrated example, the lid 7 is detachably attached to the box body 6, but the lid 7 may also be hingedly connected to the box body 6.

[0040] The temperature control case 1 is arranged inside the wall 10 constituting the box body 6 and further includes a heat medium arrangement section 8 in which a heat medium 3 is provided. The heat medium 3 is a fluid for heat exchange with the fluid filled in the internal space 6a and is used to cool, heat, or keep the internal space 6a warm. That is, the heat medium 3 may be a heat medium for heating or a refrigerant for cooling. The heat medium 3 may be a gas or a liquid. When the heat medium 3 is a liquid, the main component of the heat medium 3 may be water, a liquid other than water such as ethylene glycol, or an aqueous solution in which a solute such as ammonia is dissolved. Unless otherwise specified, the heat medium 3 is assumed to be a liquid for cooling the internal space 6a.

[0041] In this embodiment, the heat medium arrangement portion 8 has a heat medium flow path 50 through which the heat medium 3 flows. The heat medium flow path 50 is formed inside the wall 10.

[0042] In this embodiment, the heat medium flow path 50 as the heat medium arrangement portion 8 is provided in the bottom wall 11 as part of the wall 10. The box body 6 is provided with an inlet 52 through which the heat medium 3 flows into the heat medium flow path 50 and an outlet 53 through which the heat medium 3 flows out of the heat medium flow path 50.

[0043] The heat transfer medium flow path 50 is formed by blocking grooves 51 formed on the inner surface 40a of the heat insulating material 40 with the back surface 30b of the inner box 30. When the heat transfer medium flow path 50 is defined by the heat insulating material 40 and the heat transfer medium 3 is a gas such as air or carbon dioxide or a liquid such as water or a polyethylene glycol aqueous solution, the heat insulating material 40 is preferably made of a foam composed of multiple closed cells and a polymer material. This prevents the heat transfer medium 3 from penetrating into the heat insulating material 40. Alternatively, a coating may be provided on the inner surface 40a of the heat insulating material 40. The coating may be made of, for example, a polyethylene or polypropylene film. This coating prevents the heat transfer medium 3 from penetrating into the heat insulating material 40.

[0044] 4 , in this embodiment, a single groove 51 extends in a serpentine manner on the inner surface 40a of the bottom wall 41 so as to cover substantially the entire inner surface 40a of the bottom wall 41. The groove 51 has a plurality of (seven in the illustrated example) crossing portions 51a extending parallel to the direction of extension of the edges of the bottom wall 41 and connecting portions 51b connecting the ends of adjacent crossing portions 51a. The back surface 30b of the inner bottom wall 31 overlaps the inner surface 40a of the bottom wall 41, and the groove 51 is closed by the back surface 30b, thereby forming a serpentine heat medium flow path 50 inside the bottom wall 11.

[0045] The inlet 52 opens to the bottom surface of one end of the groove 51, and the outlet 53 opens to the bottom surface of the other end of the groove 51. A cooling mechanism (not shown) for pumping and cooling the heat medium 3 is provided outside the box 6, and the inlet 52 and outlet 53 are connected to the cooling mechanism. The heat medium is cooled by the cooling mechanism, flows into the heat medium flow path 50 through the inlet 52, is heated while flowing through the heat medium flow path 50, flows out of the heat medium flow path 50 through the outlet 53, and is returned to the cooling mechanism.

[0046] 1 to 4, the temperature control case 1 further includes a protrusion 60 that protrudes from the inner surface 13 of the wall 10 of the box body 6 into the internal space 6a. The inner surface 13 of the wall 10 is formed by the inner box 30, which constitutes the innermost layer of the wall 10, and the inner box 30 is made of a metal material. The protrusion 60 is made of the same metal as the inner box 30, which is made of an aluminum alloy in this example. The protrusion 60 is solid. The protrusion 60 may be formed integrally with the inner box 30, or may be welded to the inner box 30 by a joining means such as welding.

[0047] The protrusions 60 include bottom protrusions 61 that protrude from the inner surface 13 of the bottom wall 11 (i.e., the inner surface 30a of the inner bottom wall 31). In this embodiment, the protrusions 60 are provided only on the bottom wall 11, but they may also be provided on walls 10 other than the bottom wall 11 (see another embodiment described later).

[0048] The bottom wall 11 (inner bottom wall 31) is provided with a plurality of (e.g., seven) bottom protrusions 61. As a mere example, the bottom protrusions 61 are ridges extending parallel to one another. Each bottom protrusion 61 extends along the extension direction of the edge of the bottom wall portion 41 and is parallel to the crossing portion 51a. The bottom protrusions 61 are arranged spaced apart from one another in a direction perpendicular to their own extension direction or the extension direction of the crossing portion 51a. In this embodiment, each bottom protrusion 61 overlaps with the crossing portion 51a in a planar view (i.e., when viewed in the thickness direction of the wall 10 on which the protrusion 60 is provided).

[0049] The bottom protrusions 61 include support protrusions 62 on which cargo is placed and low protrusions 63 that protrude less than the support protrusions 62. In this embodiment, two support protrusions 62 are arranged at both ends in the arrangement direction of the bottom protrusions 61. One or more (e.g., five) low protrusions 63 are arranged between the two support protrusions 62.

[0050] 5, the low protrusion 63 has an I-shaped cross section and protrudes upward from the inner surface 13 of the bottom wall 11. The support protrusion 62 has a protruding portion 62a that protrudes from the inner surface 13 in the same manner as the low protrusion 63, and a support portion 62b provided at the tip of the protruding portion 62a. The upper surface of the support portion 62b is a support surface 62c that supports the luggage 2.

[0051] The support protrusion 62 has a T-shaped cross section. The support surface 62c is wider than the protrusion portion 62a. The support portions 62b protrude on both sides of the protrusion portion 62a in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the support protrusion 62. The protrusion amount of the support protrusion 62 can be defined as the distance from the inner surface 13 to the support surface 62c. The protrusion amounts of the two support protrusions 62 are equal to each other. The protrusion amounts of the multiple low protrusions 63 may be equal to or different from each other, but the tip of each low protrusion 63 is positioned below the support surface 62c.

[0052] When storing luggage 2 in such a temperature-controlled case 1, the luggage 2 is placed in the internal space 6a of the box body 6 through the open upper opening 6b. The luggage 2 is supported on the support surfaces 62c of the support protrusions 62. The luggage 2 is stably supported by the two support protrusions 62, each having a wide support surface 62c. When the luggage 2 is supported by the support protrusions 62, the low protrusion 63 can be spaced apart from the luggage 2. As a mere example, if the bottom surface of the luggage 2 is flat as shown in the figure, the tip of the low protrusion 63 will be spaced apart in the vertical direction from the bottom surface of the luggage 2 by the difference in the protrusion amounts of the support protrusion 62 and the low protrusion 63.

[0053] With respect to the support protrusions 62, the surface of the protruding portions 62a is exposed to the internal space 6a. With respect to the low protrusions 63, the entire surface thereof is exposed to the internal space 6a. The portion of the inner surface 13 where the protrusions 60 are not provided is exposed to the internal space 6a. Here, in a configuration in which the protrusions 60 are not provided on the inner surface 13 of the bottom wall 11, the luggage 2 is supported by the inner surface 13. In comparison with this configuration, according to this embodiment, the exposed area of ​​the bottom wall 11 and the portion integrated therewith (i.e., the protrusions 60) to the internal space 6a is significantly increased.

[0054] Next, the upper opening 6b is closed with the lid 7, sealing the internal space 6a. The inlet 52 and outlet 53 are connected to a cooling mechanism, and the heat medium 3 flows through the heat medium flow path 50 from the inlet 52 to the outlet 53. The protrusions 60 are cooled by the heat medium 3 via solid heat transfer from the inner bottom wall 31 of the inner box 30. Because the protrusions 60 overlap the heat medium flow path in a plan view, the heat medium 3 can easily cool the protrusions 60.

[0055] The protrusions 60, together with the portions of the inner surface 13 on which the protrusions 60 are not provided, cool the internal space 6a, thereby adjusting the temperature of the internal space 6a to a desired low temperature. Because the bottom wall 11 and its associated portions have a large exposed area to the internal space 6a, the temperature of the internal space 6a is effectively adjusted. The luggage 2 is contained in the temperature-controlled internal space 6a in this manner. Therefore, the luggage 2 can be maintained at a desired temperature.

[0056] As described above, in a configuration in which the protrusions 60 are not provided on the inner surface 13 of the bottom wall 11, the luggage 2 is placed on the inner surface 13. Because the luggage 2 is in localized contact with the inner surface 13 rather than complete surface contact, it is difficult to efficiently cool the luggage 2 via solid-state heat transfer. On the other hand, because the luggage 2 is close to and covers the inner surface 13, convective heat transfer does not occur effectively between the inner surface 13 and the internal space 6a. Therefore, it is also difficult to control the temperature of the internal space 6a using the heat medium 3. In contrast, according to this embodiment, the presence of the protrusions 60 makes it easier to control the temperature of the internal space 6a and, therefore, the luggage 2.

[0057] The wall 10 is a laminate of a metal material and a heat insulating material 40, and the inner surface 13 and the protrusions 60 are made of a metal material. The heat insulating material 40 is laminated on the back surface 30b opposite the inner surface 30a of the inner box 30, and the heat insulating material 40 has grooves 51 formed in the inner surface 40a. The heat medium flow path 50 is formed by overlapping the back surface 30b with the inner surface 40a of the heat insulating material 40 and closing the grooves 51 with the back surface 30b. In this way, simply by covering the grooves 51 formed in the heat insulating material 40 with a metal material, it is possible to simultaneously incorporate the heat medium flow path 50 into the wall 10, expose the highly heat-conductive protrusions 60 to the internal space 6a to effectively regulate the temperature of the internal space 6a, and improve the thermal insulation of the internal space 6a and the heat medium flow path 50.

[0058] Second Embodiment Next, a temperature control case 1 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0059] In this embodiment, rear surface protrusions 70 that protrude into the heat medium flow path 50 are provided on the rear surface 30b of the inner box 30 made of metal. As in the first embodiment, the heat medium flow path 50 is formed by closing grooves 51 provided on the inner surface 40a of the heat insulating material with the rear surface 30b of the inner box 30. Therefore, by simply placing the inner box 30 with the rear surface protrusions 70 on the heat insulating material 40, the heat medium flow path 50 with the rear surface protrusions 70 inserted therein can be easily formed.

[0060] As in the first embodiment, the inner box 30 is provided with a protrusion 60 (bottom protrusion 61) that protrudes into the internal space 6a. Like the protrusion 60, the back surface protrusion 70 is solid. The back surface protrusion 70 may be formed integrally with the inner box 30, or may be joined to the inner box 30 by joining means such as welding.

[0061] According to this embodiment, the presence of the rear projections 70 increases the contact area between the inner box 30, which is made of metal, and the heat medium 3. Heat is efficiently transferred from the heat medium 3 to the projections on the inner surface 13 via the rear projections 70. This makes it easier to control the temperature of the internal space 6a and, ultimately, the luggage 2. Furthermore, even if the water level of the heat medium 3 in the heat medium flow path 50 fluctuates due to fluctuations in the supply amount of the heat medium 3 or tilting of the temperature-controlled case 1, temperature control can be continued through heat transfer via the rear projections 70. In other words, according to this embodiment, the presence of the rear projections 70 has the advantage of allowing temperature control to be continued even if the heat medium flow path 50 is not filled with the heat medium 3.

[0062] Third Embodiment Next, a temperature control case 1 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, focusing on the differences from the first and second embodiments.

[0063] In this embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments, the heat medium flow path 50 is formed by closing grooves 51 formed in the inner surface 40a of the heat insulating material 40. The fluid filling the internal space 6a is air. The heat medium 3 is cooling air, and the cooling air flows through the heat medium flow path 50.

[0064] 7, the heat transfer medium flow path 50 is comb-shaped (rather than serpentine-shaped). The grooves 51 have a common portion 51c extending in the arrangement direction of the bottom projections 61 and a plurality of individual portions 51d extending from the common portion 51c in the extension direction of the bottom projections 61. The inlet 52 opens into the common portion 51c. The outlet 53 (see FIG. 4, for example) is omitted, and instead, the box 6 is provided with a plurality of outlets 54. One or more outlets 54 open at the downstream end of each individual portion 51d (the end farther from the common portion 51c).

[0065] The heat transfer medium 3 as cooling air is pressure-fed from a cooling mechanism outside the box body 6, flows into the heat transfer medium flow path 50 through the inlet 52, is divided into the multiple individual sections 51d, and is blown into the internal space 6a through the outlet 54 of each individual section 51d. The flow of cooling air cools the protrusions 60, and the cooled protrusions 60 cool the internal space 6a. Furthermore, the temperature of the internal space 6a is directly regulated by the blown-out cooling air. This effectively regulates the temperature of the internal space 6a, making it easier to control the temperature of the luggage 2.

[0066] Fourth Embodiment Next, with reference to FIG. 9, a temperature control case 1 according to a fourth embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first to third embodiments.

[0067] In this embodiment, as in the first to third embodiments, the heat transfer medium flow path 50 is formed by closing grooves 51 formed in the inner surface 40a of the heat insulating material 40. Unlike the above embodiments, the grooves 51 are parallelogram-shaped in plan view and are widely recessed in the inner surface 40a so as to cover substantially the entire inner surface 40a of the bottom wall portion 41. The heat transfer medium flow path 50 is reservoir-shaped rather than channel-shaped. The inlet 52 and the outlet 53 open at a pair of diagonal corners 51e that form acute angles in the parallelogram.

[0068] This allows the heat medium 3 to cool the entire inner surface 13 of the bottom wall 11. Because the inlet 52 and the outlet 53 are arranged at acute angles, when the heat medium 3 flows into the heat medium flow path 50 through the inlet 52, the heat medium 3 is guided by the hypotenuse edge of the parallelogram and flows smoothly within the heat medium flow path 50 toward the outlet 53. This prevents the heat medium 3 from stagnating within the heat medium flow path 50, and maintains high heat exchange performance of the heat medium arrangement section 8.

[0069] Fifth Embodiment Next, a temperature control case 1 according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10, focusing on the differences from the first to fourth embodiments.

[0070] In this embodiment, the inner box 30 is made of extruded material rather than sheet metal. The inner box 30 is formed into a rectangular box shape by combining multiple rectangular panel-shaped extruded materials. As an example, the inner box 30 is made of five extruded materials that respectively form the inner bottom wall 31 and four inner walls (a pair of first inner walls 32A and a pair of second inner walls 32B). The five extruded materials are joined together using joining means such as welding.

[0071] The extruded material constituting the inner bottom wall 31 has a plurality of hollow portions 55 arranged in a row in the width direction (left-right direction in the plane of FIG. 10 ). The hollow portions 55 extend parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction (direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 10 ), which is orthogonal to the arrangement direction. The heat medium 3 is supplied to each hollow portion 55, and the hollow portions 55 form a heat medium flow path 50. The extruded material constituting each inner wall also has a hollow portion. In this embodiment, the heat medium flow path 50 as a heat medium arrangement portion is provided not only in the bottom wall 11 but also in a wall other than the bottom wall 11, i.e., the peripheral wall 12.

[0072] As in the first to fourth embodiments, a bottom protrusion 61 is provided on the inner surface 30a of the inner bottom wall 31. The bottom protrusion 61 extends in the extrusion direction of the extruded material (i.e., the same as the extending direction of the hollow portion 55), and is formed integrally and simultaneously with the extrusion molding of the extruded material.

[0073] The protrusions 60 include not only the bottom protrusions 61 but also side protrusions 66 that protrude from the inner surface 30a of the inner circumferential wall 32 (inner wall) into the internal space 6a. In this embodiment, each inner wall is provided with a plurality of side protrusions 66. On each inner wall, the plurality of side protrusions 66 are arranged at intervals in the up-down direction, which is the arrangement direction of the hollow portions 55, and extend along the extension direction of the hollow portions 55.

[0074] As in the first to fourth embodiments, the wall 10 of the box body 6 is formed by laminating the inner box 30, the heat insulating material 40, and the outer box 20 in this order from the inner space 6a side. In this embodiment, the hollow portion 55 that forms the heat medium flow path 50 is formed in the inner box 30, and therefore the groove 51 (see, for example, FIG. 1 ) is omitted from the inner surface 40a of the heat insulating material 40.

[0075] In this embodiment, when molding the components of the inner box 30, the hollow portion 55 that forms the heat medium flow path 50 and the necessary protrusions 60 are formed. This increases the productivity of the temperature-controlled case 1. Furthermore, by providing the heat medium arrangement portion 8 on the peripheral wall 12, it becomes easier to control the temperature of the internal space 6a and therefore the luggage 2. The presence of the side protrusions 66 makes it even easier to control the temperature of the internal space 6a and therefore the luggage 2.

[0076] Sixth Embodiment Next, a temperature control case 1 according to a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, focusing on the differences from the first to fifth embodiments.

[0077] In this embodiment, the heat medium arrangement section 8 has a heat medium inclusion 56 in which the heat medium 3 is enclosed, instead of the heat medium flow path 50 (see, for example, FIG. 4 ). A suitable example of such a heat medium inclusion 56 is a cold storage agent pack in which a cold storage agent serving as the heat medium 3 is enclosed in a resin case or pack. Any known cold storage agent can be used, and can be obtained, for example, by mixing a highly water-absorbent resin (for example, sodium polyacrylate) with water.

[0078] The heat medium inclusion 56 is sandwiched between the back surface 30b of the inner box 30 and the inner surface 40a of the heat insulating material 40. As a result, the heat medium inclusion 56 is built into the wall 10 of the box body 6, and the heat medium arrangement section 8 is realized. The box body 6 including the heat medium inclusion 56 is cooled before the luggage 2 is placed inside. This freezes the heat medium inclusion 56, and the heat medium inclusion 56 is ready to exert its cooling performance. The luggage 2 is then placed inside the box body 6. The internal space 6a is cooled by the cold energy contained in the heat medium inclusion 56, thereby enabling the temperature of the luggage 2 to be controlled.

[0079] (Modifications) Although the embodiments have been described above, the above configurations can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention.

[0080] 13 and 14 show temperature control cases 1 according to a first and second modified examples, respectively. As shown in Fig. 13 and 14, when an extruded material is used for the inner bottom wall 31, the extruded material may integrally have a back surface protrusion 70 that protrudes into the hollow portion 55 that functions as the heat transfer medium flow path 50.

[0081] In the above embodiment, among the multiple bottom protrusions 61, those located at both ends are relatively tall support protrusions, and those located between them are relatively short protrusions, but this is just one example. The bottom protrusions 61 may all be the same height. In this case, the bottom protrusions 61 may have an I-shaped cross section as shown in FIG. 13 or a T-shaped cross section as shown in FIG. 14. Although detailed illustration is omitted, one or more protrusions located at locations other than the ends may be support protrusions.

[0082] 15 and 16 show a temperature control case 1 according to a third modification. As shown in the figures, the heat medium flow path 50 may be provided in the lid 7. In this case, the fitting portion 7a of the lid 7 may be formed from an extruded material. When the lid 7 is in a state where the box body 6 is closed by the lid 7, the lower surface of the fitting portion 7a defines the internal space 6a. The extruded material that forms the fitting portion 7a may integrally have an upper protrusion 67 that protrudes from the lower surface.

[0083] 17 and 18 show a temperature control case 1 according to a fourth modified example. In this modified example, the lid 7 is also provided with a heat medium flow path 50, and the fitting portion 7a and the inner bottom wall 31 are formed of extruded material. However, in this modified example, the extruded material that forms the fitting portion 7a and the inner bottom wall 31 does not have a hollow portion 55 (see, for example, FIGS. 10 and 15 ).

[0084] Focusing on the inner bottom wall 31, the extruded material has a flat base. One surface of the base forms the inner surface 30a of the inner box or the inner surface 13 of the bottom wall 11. The other surface, which is the reverse side of the base, forms the back surface 30b of the inner box 30 and is disposed at a distance from the inner surface 40a of the thermal insulation material 40. The extruded material has partition protrusions 75 protruding from the other surface (back surface 30b) of the base. The heat transfer medium flow path 50 is defined by the partition protrusions 75, the back surface 30b of the inner box 30 (the other surface of the base), and the inner surface 40a of the thermal insulation material 40. The extruded material further has back surface protrusions 70 protruding from the other surface of the base between the partition protrusions 75. The back surface protrusions 70 protrude into the heat transfer medium flow path 50 defined as described above. The extruded material is integrally provided with bottom protrusions 61 protruding from one surface (inner surface 30a) of the base into the internal space 6a. The bottom protrusion 61 includes a support protrusion 62 and a low protrusion 63, similar to the above-described embodiments.

[0085] Such an extruded member is also provided upside down on the lid 7. As a result, the heat transfer medium flow path 50 is also built into the lid 7. The lid 7 is provided with an upper protrusion 67 that protrudes downward into the internal space 6a. The upper protrusion 67 also includes a support protrusion 68 that protrudes relatively greatly and has a T-shaped cross section, and a lower protrusion 69 that protrudes less than the support protrusion 68 and has an I-shaped cross section. The support protrusion 68 can support the luggage 2 from above.

[0086] 19 shows a portion of a temperature control case 1 according to a fifth modified example. In this modified example, as in the first and second embodiments, the heat medium flow path 50 is formed by closing a groove 51 formed in the inner surface 40a of the heat insulating material 40. In this modified example, the groove 51 has a semicircular cross section.

[0087] When the heat insulating material 40 is made of a foam made of closed cells and a polymer material to prevent the heat transfer medium 3 from penetrating, the heat insulating material 40 can be manufactured by molding. If the cross section is semicircular, the heat insulating material 40 can be easily demolded, improving the productivity of the heat insulating material 40 and, in turn, the temperature control case 1.

[0088] Although not shown in detail, the inlet 52 and outlet 53 may be provided with tube joints. The tube joints are preferably built into the wall of the box. When multiple temperature control cases 1 are housed in a single container, the gaps between the multiple temperature control cases 1 can be minimized, increasing the number of temperature control cases 1 that can be housed in the container. Multiple inlet and outlet ports may be provided. This allows appropriate inlet 52 and outlet 53 to be selected depending on the arrangement of the temperature control cases 1 in the container, simplifying the flow path configuration within the container. In this case, it is preferable that each inlet 52 and outlet 53 be provided with a check valve. This prevents the heat medium from leaking from inlet 52 and outlet 53 that are not selected.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the protrusions 60 are elongated, but the protrusions 60 may be columnar or stub-shaped, and a large number of protrusions 60 may be arranged in a matrix.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the temperature of the internal space 6a is controlled to be relatively low (for example, lower than the temperature of the outside air) by the heat medium 3. However, the temperature of the internal space 6a may be controlled to be higher than the temperature of the outside air by the heat medium 3.

[0091] In the first, second, fourth, and fifth embodiments, the heat medium 3 may be a gas. When the heat medium 3 is a gas, the heat medium 3 does not need to be blown into the internal space 6 a, and may be discharged to the outside of the box body 6 through the outlet 53.

[0092] In the sixth embodiment, the heat medium flow path 50 is omitted from the heat medium arrangement section 8, but both the heat medium flow path 50 and the heat medium enclosure 56 may be provided in a single temperature control case 1.

[0093] The outer box 20 may be omitted. Alternatively, the heat medium flow path 50 may be formed by attaching a metal plate having grooves to the inner box 30. That is, the heat medium flow path 50 may be formed only from a metal material, and in this case, the heat insulating material 40 may be laminated on the outside of the metal plate having grooves.

[0094] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-029986, filed February 29, 2024. Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-029986 is incorporated herein by reference.

[0095] The present disclosure may include the following aspects. (Aspect 1) A temperature regulated case comprising: a box body forming an internal space for accommodating luggage; a heat medium arrangement section disposed inside a wall constituting the box body and in which a heat medium is provided; and a protrusion protruding from the inner surface of the wall into the internal space. (Aspect 2) The temperature regulated case according to Aspect 1, wherein the protrusion includes a bottom protrusion protruding from the inner surface of a bottom wall that is part of the wall of the box body. (Aspect 3) The temperature regulated case according to Aspect 2, wherein the bottom protrusion includes a support protrusion on which the luggage is placed and a low protrusion that protrudes less than the support protrusion. (Aspect 4) The temperature regulated case according to Aspect 3, wherein the support protrusion includes a protruding portion protruding from the inner surface and a support portion provided at a tip of the protruding portion and having a support surface that supports the luggage, the support surface being wider than the protruding portion. (Aspect 5) The temperature control case according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein the wall is a laminate of a metal material and a thermal insulating material, the inner surface and the protrusions are made of the metal material, and the thermal insulating material is laminated on a back surface of the metal material opposite to the inner surface. (Aspect 6) The temperature control case according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein the heat medium arrangement section has a heat medium flow path through which the heat medium flows, and the box body is provided with an inlet for allowing the heat medium to flow into the heat medium flow path and an outlet for allowing the heat medium to flow out of the heat medium flow path. (Aspect 7) The temperature control case according to Aspect 6, wherein the wall is a laminate of a metal material and a thermal insulating material, the inner surface and the protrusions are made of the metal material, and the thermal insulating material is laminated on a back surface of the metal material opposite to the inner surface, the thermal insulating material has a groove formed on its inner surface, and the heat medium flow path is formed by overlapping the back surface of the metal material with the inner surface of the thermal insulating material and closing the groove with the back surface. (Aspect 8) The temperature control case according to Aspect 7, wherein the heat insulating material is made of a foam composed of a plurality of closed cells and a polymer material, or a coating is provided on the inner surface of the heat transfer medium flow path. (Aspect 9) The temperature control case according to Aspect 7 or 8, wherein a back surface protrusion is provided on the back surface of the metal material so as to protrude into the heat transfer medium flow path.(Aspect 10) The temperature control case according to any one of Aspects 1 to 9, wherein the heat medium placement section has a heat medium enclosure in which the heat medium is enclosed.

[0096] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Temperature control case 2 Baggage 3 Heat medium 6 Box body 6a Internal space 6b Upper opening 7 Lid 7a Fitting portion 7b Placement portion 8 Heat medium placement portion 10 Wall 11 Bottom wall 12 Peripheral wall 12A First side wall 12B Second side wall 13 Inner surface 20 Outer box 20a Outer surface 20b Back surface 21 Outer bottom wall 22 Outer peripheral wall 22A First outer wall 22B Second outer wall 30 Inner box 30a Inner surface 30b Back surface 31 Inner bottom wall 32 Inner peripheral wall 32A First inner wall 32B Second inner wall 33 Flange 40 Heat insulating material 40a Inner surface 40b Outer surface 41 Bottom wall portion 42 Peripheral wall portion 50 Heat medium flow path 51 Groove 51a Crossing portion 51b Connection portion 51c Common portion 51d Individual portion 51e Diagonal portion 52 Inlet 53 Outlet 54 Outlet 55 Hollow portion 56 Heat medium enclosure 60 Protrusion 61 Bottom protrusion 62 Support protrusion 62a Protruding portion 62b Support portion 62c Support surface 63 Low protrusion 66 Side protrusion 67 Upper protrusion 68 Support protrusion 69 Low protrusion 70 Back surface protrusion 75 Partition protrusion

Claims

1. A temperature-controlled case comprising: a box body that forms an internal space for storing luggage; a heat medium placement section that is placed inside a wall that constitutes the box body and in which a heat medium is provided; and a protrusion that protrudes from the inner surface of the wall into the internal space.

2. The temperature control case according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion includes a bottom protrusion protruding from the inner surface of a bottom wall that is part of the wall of the box body.

3. The temperature control case according to claim 2, wherein the bottom protrusions include a support protrusion on which the load is placed and a lower protrusion that protrudes less than the support protrusion.

4. The temperature control case according to claim 3, wherein the support protrusion includes a protruding portion protruding from the inner surface and a support portion provided at the tip of the protruding portion and having a support surface for supporting the luggage, the support surface being wider than the protruding portion.

5. A temperature control case according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the wall is a laminate of a metal material and a heat insulating material, the inner surface and the protrusions are made of the metal material, and the heat insulating material is laminated on the back surface of the metal material opposite the inner surface.

6. A temperature control case as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the heat medium arrangement section has a heat medium flow path through which the heat medium flows, and the box body is provided with an inlet through which the heat medium flows into the heat medium flow path and an outlet through which the heat medium flows out of the heat medium flow path.

7. A temperature control case as described in claim 6, wherein the wall is a laminate of a metal material and a heat insulating material, the inner surface and the protrusions are made of the metal material, the heat insulating material is laminated on the back surface of the metal material opposite the inner surface, the heat insulating material has a groove formed on the inner surface, and the heat medium flow path is formed by overlapping the back surface of the metal material with the inner surface of the heat insulating material and closing the groove with the back surface.

8. The temperature control case according to claim 7, wherein the heat insulating material is made of a foam made of a polymer material and a plurality of closed cells, or a coating is provided on the inner surface of the heat transfer medium flow path.

9. The temperature control case according to claim 7, wherein a rear surface protrusion that protrudes into the heat medium flow path is provided on the rear surface of the metal material.

10. The temperature control case according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the heat medium arrangement section has a heat medium enclosure in which the heat medium is enclosed.

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